January 2024 – Football Flame

Month: January 2024

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PREMIER LEAGUE

‘Confident Arsenal are right in Premier League title race’

 Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates his goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal FC at City Ground on January 30, 2024 in Nottingham, England. Arsenal's scenes of celebration at the final whistle at the City Ground were in the sharpest contrast to their last visit to Nottingham Forest, when defeat brought the curtain down on a season-long Premier League title quest.It was Forest celebrating back in May when Taiwo Awoniyi's goal not only assured their survival but completed Arsenal's misery as a late collapse made Manchester City champions.Here, on a cold night beside the Trent, Arsenal's title ambitions were not on the line but defeat was unthinkable, especially with Premier League leaders Liverpool the visitors to Emirates Stadium on Sunday.And...
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LALIGA

Xavi confirms date for Ter Stegen’s return

 Marc -Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona seen in action during UEFA Champions League 2023/2024 football match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Barcelona at Volksparkstadion (Hamburg). Final score; FC Shakhtar 1:0 FC Barcelona.Barcelona have struggled to repeat the same level of defensive solidity as they did last season, and one of the biggest reasons for the Blaugrana’s leaky defense has been the extended absence of Marc-André ter Stegen, who has missed almost three months after undergoing back surgery.The German returned to training last week, and now the date for his comeback has been confirmed. That’s according to manager Xavi Hernández, who was asked about Ter Stegen in a press conference on Tuesday and said that if everything goes according to plan, his number one goalkeeper wi...
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SERIE A

De Rossi’s Roma revival continues with Salernitana win

 Daniele De Rossi manager of AS Roma during the Serie A TIM match between US Salernitana and AS Roma - Serie A TIM at Stadio Arechi on January 29, 2024 in Salerno, Italy. Daniele De Rossi's dream start as Roma boss goes on, with his side earning a second successive win with a 2-1 triumph over Salernitana in Serie A.De Rossi took over from previous coach Jose Mourinho on January 16, winning his first game in charge against Verona four days later.His second victory came thanks to second-half goals from Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, with the capital club rising three places to fifth on the table.Dybala put the visitors ahead in the 51st minute from the penalty spot after Giulio Maggiore fouled Gianluca Mancini.Pellegrini doubled Roma's lead 15 minutes later when he took advan...
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NEWS

Ivory Coast stun AFCON holders Senegal, Cape Verde into quarter-finals

 Ivory Coast's midfielder #8 Franck Kessie (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Senegal and Ivory Coast at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro on January 29, 2024.Hosts Ivory Coast stunned Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, knocking out the reigning champions on penalties in the last 16 to keep their hopes of winning the title on home soil alive. A week ago it looked as if the Ivorians were set for a humiliating group-stage exit from their own AFCON, but now they are into the quarter-finals after beating Senegal 5-4 on penalties following a tie that finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.The Elephants scraped into the knockout phase with the worst re...
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LALIGA

Lewa hosts Barça lunch after Xavi exit decision

 Barcelona players held a team lunch at Robert Lewandowski's house on Monday in the wake of coach Xavi Hernández's decision to leave the club at the end of the season.The lunch lasted for around two hours and was only attended by the players, with none of Xavi or his coaching staff present.Xavi, 44, made the surprise announcement that he will depart in the summer after Saturday's 5-3 loss to Villarreal, which left Barça 11 points behind LaLiga leaders Girona.It came on the back of elimination from the Spanish Supercopa and Copa del Rey this month, which further increased the pressure on Xavi.Xavi -- who replaced Ronald Koeman at the end of 2021 -- had not told the players of his decision before making it official, with the majority of them learning of the news via social media and mes...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Van Dijk unsure over Liverpool future post-Klopp

 Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield on January 28, 2024 in Liverpool, England.Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said he is unsure if he will be part of the post-Jurgen Klopp era at the club.Klopp has surprisingly announced that he will leave the Reds at the end of the season.Van Dijk was signed by the German from Southampton for £75m in January 2018 and the 32-year-old defender's contract at the club runs out in summer 2025.Asked whether he saw himself being part of the next era, Van Dijk said: "That's a big question. I don't know."Liverpool assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, as well as elite development coach Vitor Matos, will also leave ...
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LALIGA

Roberto expected to follow Xavi out of Barca

 Sergi Roberto of FC Barcelona in action during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 match between Unionistas and FC Barcelona at Campo de Futbol Reina Sofia on January 18, 2024 in Salamanca, Spain. Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto is expected to follow manager Xavi out of the club at the end of the season.Roberto is into the final year of his current contract at the club, and Xavi has said publicly he wants Barcelona to renew his existing deal.Yet Diario AS reckon the club have “no intention” of renewing Roberto’s contract, meaning he is expected to leave on a free transfer.Roberto has also played down talk of an exit - saying in December he has Xavi’s “confidence” - but the coach’s decision to leave is likely to spell bad news for the veteran.The captain has previously revealed he would...
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Ligue 1

PSG blow two-goal advantage in home draw with Brest

 Marco ASENSIO (R) of Paris Saint - Germain in action during the French Ligue 1 (L1) soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France on January 28, 2024.Paris Saint-Germain blew a two-goal advantage and saw their French league lead over Nice reduced to six points after a 2-2 draw with Brest.PSG led 2-0 at the break on Monday (AEDT) but an own goal and an equaliser 10 minutes from the end exposed ongoing difficulties at the back when under pressure.Luis Enrique is the latest PSG coach to be confronted with a problem with composure that resurfaces every season, especially when star striker Kylian Mbappe fails to paper over the cracks with his scoring.Mbappe could not add to his league-leading 19 goals and was show...
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NEWS

Liverpool overpower Norwich to make FA Cup last 16

 Darwin Nunez of Liverpool scores his side's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield on January 28, 2024 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool reached the FA Cup fifth round with an entertaining victory over Norwich in their first game since manager Jurgen Klopp announced he will leave at the end of the season.Klopp, who revealed his impending departure on Friday, was given a rousing reception by the home supporters before kick-off, and his team wasted little time in moving through the gears against the Championship play-off hopefuls.Darwin Nunez had already struck the post with a magnificent curling drive by the time Curtis Jones nodded the hosts in front from full debutant James McConnell's cross.The Canaries equalised ...
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NEWS

Nigeria beat Cameroon in last 16 with Lookman double

 Victor James Osimhen of Nigeria and Oumar Gonzalez of Cameroon battle for the ball during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match between Nigeria and Cameroon at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on January 27, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Nigeria reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after Ademola Lookman scored twice to beat a disappointing Cameroon 2-0 in the last 16 in Abidjan.The Atalanta forward opened the scoring nine minutes before the break after Victor Osimhen forced Oumar Gonzalez into a mistake and then teed up Lookman to fire past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, who was preferred to Andre Onana.Former England Under-21s forward Lookman sealed the win in the 90th minute after one of the game's best moves, volleying home Calvin Bass...
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TRANSFERS

Lyon sign Nemanja Matic on two-and-a-half-year deal

 Roma player Nemanja Matic during the match Roma v Inter at the Stadio Olimpico. Rome (Italy), May 06th, 2023. Experienced midfielder Nemanja Matic has completed a permanent move to Lyon from Rennes on a two-and-a-half-year deal.The former Chelsea and Manchester United man had only arrived at Rennes from Roma in the most recent summer transfer window and made 19 appearances for the club in the first half of the season.Matic registered three assists for Julien Stephan's side during the group stage of the Europa League and started 11 Ligue 1 matches, but he was removed from the first-team picture in acrimonious circumstances just before Christmas.The Serbian's frustrations stemmed from broken promises made by the club when he signed for them relating to his children's education, ha...
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SERIE A

Torino win to leave Cagliari struggling in Serie A

 Antoine Makoumbou of Cagliari in contrast with Duvan Zapata of Torino during the Serie A TIM match between Cagliari and Torino FC - Serie A TIM at Sardegna Arena on January 26, 2024 in Cagliari, Italy. First-half goals from Duvan Zapata and Samuele Ricci have helped Torino defeat struggling Cagliari 2-1 in Serie A.Cagliari remained one point above the relegation zone after an alarming run of just one win from their last eight league games, while Torino are 10th.Torino led from midway through the first half. Zapata turned in a cross from Raoul Bellanova at the near post.Ricci added a second in stoppage time with his first goal of the season. Goalkeeper Simone Scuffet could turn his shot only into the net after a piercing run from midfield.Veteran midfielder Nicolas Viola pulled a...
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BUNDESLIGA

Mario Gotze Header Sends Eintracht Frankfurt Past Mainz

 Mario Goetze of Eintracht Frankfurt scores their sides first goal past Robin Zentner of 1.FSV Mainz 05 during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Deutsche Bank Park on January 26, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.A second-half header from Mario Goetze lifted Eintracht Frankfurt to a 1-0 win over derby rivals Mainz on Friday, keeping the home side in touch with the European placings. Germany's World Cup hero from 2014 put Frankfurt in front with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, heading in the rebound from his own shot. Goetze appeared to be offside but his first goal of the season survived a lengthy VAR review, with images showing a deflection off a Mainz player. Goetze last scored a header almost two years ago, telling DAZN "it...
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NEWS

Late Ake winner ensures Man City knock out Spurs

 Nathan Ake of Manchester City scores his team's goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 26, 2024 in London, England. Nathan Ake's late goal gave Manchester City their first victory in six visits to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a place in the FA Cup fifth round.City looked likely to have to settle a replay after missing a succession of chances before Ake scored their first goal at this stadium after five successive defeats with two minutes left as Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario failed to hold Kevin de Bruyne's corner under pressure from Ruben Dias.It was a bitter blow to Spurs after a defiant rearguard action but just reward for City, who had been the better side only to miss the opp...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Klopp to leave as Liverpool boss at end of season

 Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool addresses the media at a club press conference ahead of the Emirates FA Cup tie with Norwich City at AXA Training Centre on January 26, 2024 in Kirkby, England. The club and Jurgen Klopp announced earlier in the day that he was to leave the club at end of the current season bringing an end to his successful nine year spell at the club.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is to step down from the role at the end of the season, saying he is "running out of energy".Klopp was appointed in October 2015 and his contract was due to run until 2026.He won the Champions League in 2019 before leading Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years in 2019-20."I told the club already in November," said 56-year-old Klopp, who has announced his decision with his side top of t...
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TRANSFERS

Man City sign Echeverri, 18, from River Plate

 Claudio Echeverri of River Plate controls the ball during the Trofeo de Campeones match between Rosario Central and River Plate at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on December 22, 2023 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Manchester City have signed Argentina Under-17 midfielder Claudio Echeverri from River Plate.City will pay about £12.5m for Echeverri, who has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract that runs to 2028.The 18-year-old, who has made six first-team appearances for River Plate, will remain with the Argentine club throughout 2024.City agreed a similar deal with River for Argentina forward Julian Alvarez in January 2022.Echeverri was Argentina's captain at the U17 World Cup in November and scored a hat-trick as they beat Brazil 3-0 in the quarter-finals.He finished the t...
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NEWS

Bournemouth hammer Swansea to reach fifth round

 Harrison Ashby of Swansea City and Lloyd Kelly of AFC Bournemouth chase the ball during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Swansea City at Vitality Stadium on January 25, 2024 in Bournemouth, England.Premier League Bournemouth became the first team to confirm their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup as they hammered Championship side Swansea 5-0.Bournemouth needed just 14 minutes to race 3-0 ahead through goals from Lloyd Kelly, Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra.Kelly and Scott's goals were both created by David Brooks, who produced a superb individual display.Brooks capped his performance to make it 4-0 on 34 minutes and Dominic Solanke added a fifth before half-time.Swansea improved after the interval and managed to limit the damage, with Bournemout...
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NEWS

Barcelona knocked out of Copa del Rey by Bilbao

 (L-R) Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao, Hector Fort of FC Barcelona during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Athletic de Bilbao v FC Barcelona at the San Mames Stadium on January 24, 2024 in Bilbao Spain.Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao after losing their quarter-final 4-2 at San Mames.Gorka Guruzeta gave Bilbao a first-minute lead but Barca were ahead just after the half-hour mark as Robert Lewandowski equalised and Lamine Yamal made it 2-1Bilbao equalised in the 49th minute with Oihan Sancet.Inaki Williams scored in extra-time before brother Nico Williams sealed victory at the death.Xavi's Barcelona side dominated possession, but Bilbao looked the most dangerous and had 27 shots on goal.However, 16-year-old Yamal, who became the competition's ...
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NEWS

Bamford nets winner as Leeds United beat Norwich City

 Patrick Bamford of Leeds United scores his team's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Norwich City at Elland Road on January 24, 2024 in Leeds, England.Leeds United have climbed to within two points of the Championship's automatic-promotion places with a 1-0 win against Norwich at Elland Road.Patrick Bamford scored the game's solitary goal with a thumping first-half header and that was enough to seal Leeds their fifth straight win in all competitions and keep the pressure on their promotion rivals.Norwich were not without their chances - Gabriel Sara's first-half effort was the best of them - but they slipped to their first defeat in six games and failed to climb into the play-off places.In a fixture brought forward because both sides are in FA C...
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NEWS

Ivory Coast fire coach, edge into Africa Cup’s last 16

 Ivory Coast's French coach Jean-Louis Gasset (C) getsures to Ivory Coast's forward #10 Karim Konate during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group A football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on January 22, 2024.Host nation Ivory Coast have squeezed into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on the day they fired their coach.Morocco's 1-0 win over Zambia in Group F on Wednesday (local time) ensured Ivory Coast finished among the four best third-placed teams, thus qualifying for the knockout stage.Zambia's defeat left the Copper Bullets with two points after three games, one fewer than Ivory Coast, who failed to secure their own progress when they were beaten 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea in their final group g...
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